As the start time for the third-place match and the final of the academy tournament approached, more and more guests and spectators began arriving at the academy.

  A luxurious-looking horse-drawn carriage had just arrived at the academy gates, accompanied by knights who appeared to be escorting it. The carriage stopped, and the door opened. A man appeared, holding the hand of a beautiful woman. They were Duke Darwin and Duchess Harriet.

  The two of them then walked to the academy gates to enter the grounds, accompanied by several knights. However, before they could pass through, another luxurious horse-drawn carriage arrived, accompanied by several knights. Duke Darwin and Duchess Harriet stopped walking upon seeing the carriage.

  The carriage stopped, and the door opened. After the door opened, a man emerged, holding the hand of a beautiful woman with shoulder-length hair.

  "Oh, so you're here, Lord Darwin," said Duke Remy.

  It turned out that the person in the carriage was Duke Remy, and the woman he was holding hands with was Duchess Arnett. Her full name is Arnett Laterza San Quentine.

  "So it's true that you're here, Lord Remy. I've noticed since I saw your carriage. This time, you've brought Miss Arnett with you, huh? Hello, Miss Arnett," said Duke Darwin.

  "H-hello to you too, Lord Darwin," said Duchess Arnett.

  "By the way, Lord Darwin, are you the only one here? What about Lord James?" asked Duke Remy, walking over to Duke Darwin.

  "I'm the only one here, and I didn't find Lord ?James's carriage. It seems he's on his way," said Duke Darwin.

  "I see," said Duke Remy.

  While Duke Darwin and Duke Remy were chatting, Duchess Harriet walked over to Duchess Arnett.

  "Long time no see, Miss Arnett. How are you?" asked Duchess Harriet.

  "A-ah, Miss Harriet. I-it's been a while. I'm fine, h-how are you?" Duchess Arnett asked.

  "I'm fine too. It seems your nervousness is still there, though not as bad as before," Duchess Harriet said.

  "A-ahaha, I-i'm sorry. I-i've been visiting and meeting with the people of San Quentine frequently, b-but my nervousness hasn't completely gone away," Duchess Arnett said.

  "No need to apologize, Miss Arnett. Besides, your nervousness is your trademark, I can't imagine what you'd be like without it, fufufu," Duchess Harriet said.

  "P-please don't tease me, M-miss Harriet," Duchess Arnett said.

  While they were happily chatting, another luxurious horse-drawn carriage arrived, accompanied by knights.

  The carriage stopped and the door opened. A middle-aged man emerged. Despite his middle age, he looked like a highly trained knight. The middle-aged man was also holding the hand of a woman with neck-length hair. The woman also had long bangs that covered her left eye.

  They were Duke James William San Angela and Duchess Claret William San Angela.

  "We were just talking about you, and you're finally here, Lord ?James," said Duke Remy.

  "Good morning, Lord James," said Duke Darwin.

  "Good morning, Lord Darwin and Lord Remy," said Duke James.

  The three of them began to chat. Then Duchess Claret approached Duchess Harriet and Duchess Arnett.

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  "Good morning, Miss Harriet and Miss Arnett. You two are as beautiful as ever," said Duchess Claret.

  "B-beautiful?" said Duchess Arnett, surprised.

  "Thank you for the compliment, Miss Claret. You are as beautiful as ever too," said Duchess Harriet.

  The three Duchesses also began to chat. The three Dukes and Duchesses' conversation attracted the attention of the other guests. The atmosphere in front of the academy gates slowly began to get lively with many people wanting to see the three Dukes and Duchesses.

  "Hmm, it seems our presence here has attracted quite a crowd. We'd better get inside the academy grounds," said Duke Remy, looking around.

  "You're right," said Duke James.

  "You three, let's hurry inside the academy," said Duke Darwin, calling out to the three Duchesses who were chatting.

  The three Duchesses approached the three Dukes, and they began to enter the gates leading to the academy grounds. Initially, the Duke's knights escorting them wanted to escort them inside as well, but the three Dukes refused and ordered their ow knights to wait at the academy gates.

  After passing through the academy gates, they walked to the academy lobby to enter the central building where the academy tournament was being held.

  "B-by the way, d-do you two know the latest news on Miss Arlet?" asked Duchess Arnett.

  "Miss Arlet? I don't know the latest news, but isn't she still unconscious?" asked Duchess Harriet.

  "Of course, she's still unconscious. Didn't you know that she's in 'Frozen Sleep' due to the effects of using a secret technique belonging to their family? It's impossible for her to wake up from her slumber because curing 'Frozen Sleep' requires high-level fire magic to melt the ice surrounding her heart or mana core,"

  "The high-level magic I'm referring to is Spirit magic. Of course, it's not easy, because finding just one Spirit to contract is very difficult, let alone finding a Spirit with fire-elemental magic. Furthermore, it's not guaranteed that the Spirit you find will be willing to contract. Besides Spirit magic, you can also use 'Magic Crystals' created by Spirits,"

  "But the problem is the same, ?finding 'Magic Crystals' is difficult. That's why I'm certain she's still unconscious because it's very difficult to heal her," said Duchess Claret.

  "I-I see, poor Miss Arlet," said Duchess Arnett.

  "It's best if we don't discuss anything related to San Lucia for now. You know our husband is at odds with Lord Duke San Lucia, right? Let's discuss other matters," said Duchess Claret.

  Then they arrived in front of the academy lobby. Once inside, they were about to continue their walk to the central building, but Duke Remy stopped when he saw someone familiar. Duke Remy walked over to where he was.

  "Wow, I didn't expect to see you again, Lord Irwin. And look who it is! Long time no see, young master Asier, or should I call you 'Commander Asier' now?" asked Duke Remy.

  "Lord Duke San Quentine," said Commander Asier.

  Lord Irwin remained silent, looking at Duke Remy.

  Then the other Dukes and Duchesses also approached Duke Remy.

  "What are you doing here, Commander Asier? Aren't you supposed to be protecting my territory?" asked Duke James.

  "I took the day off and came here to watch my younger sister fight my cousin. Besides, Sara is already filling in for me today," said Commander Asier.

  "Taking the day off, you say? I don't know about that. If that's true, it's pointless for you to take the day off just to watch your younger sister fight your cousin. It's only a third-place match, after all. You'd better return to San Angela and protect my territory," said Duke James.

  "What right do you have to order me around? I've been assigned as the commander of the troops stationed in your territory, but only the highest-ranking commander and the royal family have the right to order me around. You have no right to order me around, even though you're a Duke," said Commander Asier.

  "You insolent brat. Enough with the formalities. Have you become arrogant just because you're a commander? Is this the result of the San Lucia family's upbringing? It seems the San Lucia family is filled with people who lack respect," asked Duke James.

  "You started it yourself, and please stop bad-mouthing the San Lucia family," said Commander Asier.

  "So now you're the one who dares to order me around. It seems you need to be taught a lesson," said Duke James.

  "I'm not afraid, even though you're a Duke," said Commander Asier.

  Then Commander Asier and Duke James emitted powerful auras. The two auras clashed, startling everyone in the academy. Most of those who sensed the auras felt fear and panic.

  "Um, d-dear, s-shouldn't you have stopped those two?" asked Duchess Arnett.

  "It seems it's too late to stop them," said Duke Remy.

  Commander Asier and Duke James' auras grew stronger and stronger. They both appeared ready to attack each other. However, before they could do so, a woman's voice stopped them.

  "What are you two doing in a place like this?" asked Queen Kayana.

  It turned out to be Her Majesty, who had just arrived.

  "Her Majesty the Queen?!?!!" shouted everyone present.

  Commander Asier and Duke James immediately stopped emitting their auras. They immediately turned to Her Majesty the Queen, who was being escorted by Commander Oliver and several other knights.

  ?Beside Her Majesty the Queen was a mature man whose face looked like he was approaching middle age. He was handsome and had no mustache or beard. His face resembled that of Charles when he was around 30-40 years old. Those who saw the man were also shocked.

  "King Albert?!?!," they said.

  - To be continued